Thermal reciprocating engine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides novel engine technologies for power generation and work applications. The engines transform sunlight, heat, or cold, directly into mechanical force. The invention uses a focusing means to apply temperature differentials to a thermally reactive material retained in moveable housings. Said thermally reactive material is mounted in contact with a bearing element configured to apply directional force to said thermally reactive material surface as it changes shape in response to said applied temperature differentials.

This patent application is a divisional application of patentapplication Ser. No. 10/165,722, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,647,725 confirmation number 2936, Art Unit 3748, examiner SheldonJ. Richter.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to motors and engines.

2. Description of Prior Art

Generators, Motors and engines are well known in prior art. Electricmotors, as well as gasoline and diesel engines, are the mainstay ofpower generation, transportation, and power tools. They range inefficiency from a high of 95% in electric motors to a low of 33% ingasoline engines. However, electric motors require electricity tooperate, and electricity costs are steadily rising. Internal combustionengines require hydrocarbon fuels to operate, and they are steadilyrising in cost as well. Electric generators are highly efficient aswell, but they also require costly fuel sources or hydroelectric energyto create electricity. The Stirling engine is a prior art example of anexternal combustion thermal differential motor—but it providesrelatively low power and is impractical for most modem applications.

A number of “memory metal” actuator and motor designs using bi-metal orNitinol materials have been disclosed in prior art. Gummin's U.S. Pat.No. 6,326,707 describes a shape memory alloy actuator using a pluralityof wires. Similarly, Richardson's U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,935 uses a nitinolstrand as a spring tensioner. Kutlucinar's U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,992discloses a heat converter engine based on shape memory materials thatalso use a plurality of strands.

The present invention describes unique shape memory material powergenerating engine technologies which have a minimum of moving parts,require only one shape memory element, an can be scaled to producetremendous torque with available ambient environmental temperaturedifferentials as fuel—specifically heat, cold, water, and/or sunlight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide anefficient, high torque motor which uses sunlight or ambient cold or heatdifferentials as fuel sources. The invention may also use artificiallygenerated thermal differentials to improve or increase its power output.

The engines in accordance with the present invention transform sunlight,heat, or cold, directly into rotary and linear mechanical force. Theinvention uses a focusing means to apply ambient temperaturedifferentials to a thermally reactive material retained in a moveablehousing. Said thermally reactive material is mounted in contact with abearing element which either receives or applies directional force fromor to said thermally reactive material surface as said surface changesshape in response to said applied ambient temperature differentials.

The invention as described herein has many advantages over prior artsolutions. A more complete understanding of the present invention, aswell as further features and advantages, will be obtained by referenceto the following detailed description, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric detail of a rotary sunlight engine in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric detail of a rotary thermal differential engine inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric detail of a reciprocating sunlight engine inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric detail of a reciprocating thermal differentialengine in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention as presented in FIG. 1provides a bearing mount means 5 configured to retain bearing assemblies6. Left rotatable retaining collar 7 is rigidly mounted to axle 23.Right rotatable retaining collar 9 is also rigidly mounted to axle 23.The inner rims of the perimeter of collars 7 and 9 are fabricated withindentations in a manner to allow the rigid retention of thermallyreactive perimeter wheel strip 12 as it is clamped between collars 7 and9. Detail 11 shows an exemplary removed segment of collar 9 to furtherillustrate the thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 retentionindentation.

Thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 may be fabricated frombimetal strip material as used in thermometers, or it may be fabricatedfrom other types of memory metal such as nitinol. The importantcapability of thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 is that itexpand and/or contract rapidly when exposed to a heat or cold source,and return to its original shape equally as rapidly when said source isremoved.

A thermal differential element is provided in this embodiment which maybe a sunlight focusing means 20, and which may be a magnifying lensmounted on positioning arms 16 with bolts 18 such that said focusingmeans 20 is aimed to apply magnified solar rays 21 collected from thesun 22 to temperature differential focusing means 28. Positioning arms16 are fixedly mounted to bearing mount means 5.Temperature differentialfocusing means 28 is fixedly mounted to pivot arms 25, which are in turnpivotably mounted to positioning arms 16 by pins 17. Temperaturedifferential focusing means 28 is in thermally conductive contact withthermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 so as to generate heat onthe surface of thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12.

Ball transfer bearing housing 14 may be fixedly mounted adjacent tofocusing means 20 on bearing mount means 5 with clamp 19. Ball transferbearings are well known in prior art so it is not necessary to go intofurther detail on their construction herein. The important capability ofthe ball transfer bearing housing 14 is that it is fixedly mounted sothat the freely rolling ball bearing 15 applies positive contactpressure to said thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 adjacent tosaid temperature differential focusing means 28 such that a change inshape of the thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 increases thenormal pressure on said freely rolling ball bearing 15 causing saidthermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 to push away from saidfreely rolling ball bearing 15, in turn causing said axle 23, which isfixedly mounted to collars 7 and 9, to rotate within bearing assemblies6. As each new portion of thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 isexposed to, and heated in turn by sunlight focusing means 20, pressureis continuously applied to said freely rolling ball bearing 15 tomaintain rotation of collars 7 and 9. Due to the pivot point at pin 17,temperature differential focusing means 28 is free to ride up and downon wheel strip 12 as its shape changes so as to maintain thermalcontact.

A perimeter gear or other power take-off element may be fixedly attachedto the outer rim of collars 7 and/or 9 to allow the usage of theavailable horsepower and torque provided by the invention describedherein. Usage of the available horsepower and torque provided by theinvention described herein may also be provided by an attachment to axle23.

Another embodiment of the present invention as presented in FIG. 2 isalmost identical to the embodiment referenced in FIG. 1, so elementidentification numerals are retained for identical components. However,different numbers are assigned to different components.

In the embodiment of the invention presented in FIG. 2, the sunlightfocusing means 20 is replaced with a temperature differential conductingmeans 26 in thermal contact with, and fixedly mounted to temperaturedifferential focusing means 28. Positioning arms 16 are replaced withmounting arms 27 fixedly attached to bearing mount means 5. Temperaturedifferential focusing means 28 is in turn, in thermally conductivecontact with thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12. Temperaturedifferential focusing means 28 may be a heat sink, and may be configuredto absorb cold or hot temperatures from the ambient air, or fromtemperature differential conducting means 26—which may be flexible tubesor any other thermal media conductor—and which, may be fed from athermal medium 24 stored in hot or cold media reservoir 29. Thermalmedium 24 may be a water source, a waste heat source, or any other meansto store temperature variations from ambient.

As the temperature differential focusing means 28 develops a temperaturevariation relative to ambient, said temperature variation is applied tothe surface of thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12 throughtemperature differential focusing means 28, wheel strip 12 puts pressureon ball 15, and the apparatus rotates exactly as in the embodiment inFIG. 1. In other embodiments of the invention shown in FIG. 2, thetemperature differential focusing means 28 may be a laser beam, a gasflame, an ice cube, or any other medium that may affect a change in thesurface temperature of thermally reactive perimeter wheel strip 12.

Another embodiment of the present invention as presented in FIG. 3provides a thermal differential reciprocating engine apparatus whichincludes a horizontal component retaining means 30 configured to fixedlyretain a thermally reactive material strip 31.

Horizontal component retaining means 30 is also configured to fixedlyretain a linear bearing assembly travel rod means 32 substantiallyparallel to said thermally reactive material such that bearing housing35 may freely slide horizontally along travel rod means 32 in a manneralso substantially parallel to said thermally reactive material strip31. Ball transfer bearing assembly 35 is fixedly attached to bearinghousing 34 such that ball bearing 33 maintains contact with saidthermally reactive material strip 31.

A first sunlight focusing means 38 is mounted on the left side of upperelement retaining means 40, and configured to direct magnified sunlight39, collected from the sun 51, to temperature differential focusingmeans 48. Temperature differential focusing means 48 is moveably mountedto a slotted relief in retaining arms 37 with pins 36. Retaining arms 37are in turn fixedly mounted to horizontal component retaining means 30.Temperature differential focusing means 48 is in thermally conductivecontact with thermally reactive material strip 31 so as to generate heator cold on the surface of said thermally reactive material strip 31. Dueto the slot relief in retaining arms 25, temperature differentialfocusing means 48 is free to ride up and down on material strip 31 asits shape changes.

A second sunlight focusing means 47 is mounted on the right side ofupper element retaining means 40, and configured to apply magnifiedsunlight to temperature differential focusing means 50. Temperaturedifferential focusing means 50 is moveably mounted to a slotted reliefin retaining arms 52 with pins 53. Retaining arms 52 are in turn fixedlymounted to horizontal component retaining means 30. Temperaturedifferential focusing means 50 is in thermally conductive contact withthermally reactive material strip 31 so as to generate heat on thesurface of said thermally reactive material strip 31. Due to the slotrelief in retaining arms 52, temperature differential focusing means 50is free to ride up and down on material strip 31 as its shape changes.

As the surface of thermally reactive material strip 31 expands inresponse to the applied magnified sunlight heat temperature differentialprovided by first temperature differential focusing means 48, bearing 33is forced in a direction opposite to the change in surface height whichleads to the second temperature differential focusing means 50. Asbearing 33 approaches said second temperature differential focusingmeans 50, second temperature differential focusing means 50 applies athermal differential to the surface of thermally reactive material strip31, forcing said bearing 33 back towards first temperature differentialfocusing means 48.

The cycle repeats indefinitely as sunlight is alternately restrictedfrom, and released into, first and second temperature differentialfocusing means 48 and 50 through sunlight flow directing valve 54. Saidvalve 54 is a light blocking means which is slidably mounted in thermaldifferential element retaining means 40, and fixedly coupled to linearbearing housing 34 by vertical shaft 55. Valve 54 alternately blocks andallows passage of the sun's rays through sunlight focusing means 38 and47 onto the temperature differential focusing means 48 and 50 as linearbearing housing 34 travels from side to side. Power transfer shaft 57may be fixedly attached to ball transfer bearing means 35 at rightangles to travel rod means 32 to allow the usage of the availablehorsepower and torque provided by the invention as bearing housing 34accelerates from side to side in opposition to the application of saiddirectional forces. Shaft 57 may also be fixedly attached to connectingarm 59, which may in turn be connected to crank 60 fixedly mounted tocrankshaft 61. Power from the apparatus may be extracted from shaft 57,crankshaft 61, or any other suitable motive energy attachment point onthe apparatus.

The embodiment of the present invention as described in FIG. 3 is anovel reciprocating engine that operates on an applied thermaldifferential provided by focused sunlight. The relative differencebetween ambient temperature and the temperature applied to the thermallyreactive material strip 31 determines the net available horsepower.Sunlight may replaced by any ambient temperature differential source.

Another embodiment of the present invention as presented in FIG. 4 isalmost identical to the embodiment referenced in FIG. 3, so elementidentification numerals are retained for identical components; however,different numbers are assigned to different components.

In the embodiment of the invention presented in FIG. 4, the sunlightfocusing means 38 and 47 are eliminated. Upper element retaining means40 is replaced with upper rocker element retaining means 63. Sunlightflow directing valve 54 is replaced with rocker actuator 64. Left rockerarm 66 is moveably attached to left rocker pivot rod 67, retained inpivot mounts 68, such that pressure exerted on said arm 66 will press onfirst temperature differential focusing means 48 to maintain thermalcontact with strip 31. Right rocker arm 70 is moveably attached to rightrocker pivot rod 71, retained in pivot mounts 72, such that pressureexerted on said arm 70 by actuator 64 will be transferred to secondtemperature differential focusing means 50 to maintain thermal contactwith strip 31.

Rocker actuator 64 is slidably mounted in upper rocker element retainingmeans 63, and fixedly coupled to linear bearing housing 34 by verticalshaft 55. Rocker actuator 64 alternately applies pressure to thetemperature differential focusing means 48 and 50 as linear bearinghousing 34 travels from side to side. Power transfer shaft 57 may befixedly attached to ball transfer bearing means 35 at right angles totravel rod means 32 to allow the usage of the available horsepower andtorque provided by the invention as bearing housing 34 accelerates fromside to side in opposition to the application of said directionalforces. Shaft 57 may also be fixedly attached to connecting arm 59,which may in turn be connected to crank 60 fixedly mounted to crankshaft61. Power from the apparatus may be extracted from shaft 57, crankshaft61, or any other suitable motive energy attachment point on theapparatus.

Temperature differential media conducting means 73—which may be flexibletubes or any other thermal media conductor—and which, may be fed from ahot or cold media reservoir 74, are thermally coupled to, which directsthe flow of thermal medium 75 into and out of temperature differentialfocusing means 48 and 50. Thermal medium 75 may be a water source, awaste heat source, or any other means to store temperature variationsthat differ from ambient.

The cycle repeats indefinitely as rocker arms 68 and 69 alternatelyforce temperature differential focusing means 48 and 50 into directcontact with strip 31 in response to the pressure exerted on said rockerarms 68 and 69 by rocker actuator 64.

The embodiment of the present invention as described in FIG. 4 is anovel version of a reciprocating engine which operates on any appliedthermal differential. The relative difference between ambienttemperature and the temperature applied to the thermally reactivematerial strip 31, the size of thermally reactive strip 31, and thetensile strength of strip 31, are key factors that determine the netavailable horsepower.

It is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shown anddescribed herein are merely illustrative of the principles of thisinvention and that various modifications may be implemented by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A Thermal Differential Reciprocaling Engine apparatuscomprising in combination: at least one horizontal material retainingmeans; at least one thermally reactive material fixedly mounted withinsaid horizontal material retaining means; two temperature differentialfocusing means configured to apply temperature differentials to saidthermally reactive material, and a linear bearing travel rod mountedsubstantially parallel with said horizonal retaining means; at least onebearing means slidably mounted to said horizontal material retainingmeans by sliding on said linear bearing travel rod, such that saidbearing means may be in contact with and react to, the changes in shapeof the surface of said thermally reactive material that occur inresponse to temperature difrerentials applied by said temperaturedifferential focusing means.
 2. A Thermal Differential ReciprocatingEngine apparatus according to claim 1 that provides at least one meansto apply a restrictive sliding force to said bearing means.